Discovered in 1904 at the Oseberg farm in Norway, the Oseberg ship dates back to the early 800s AD and is one of the best-preserved Viking vessels.
Buried with the ship were numerous grave goods, including intricately carved wooden artifacts, textiles, and chests. Although the grave had been robbed of its precious metals, the remaining items still indicated a high-status burial.
Additionally, the beheaded skeletal remains of 15 horses, an ox, and four dogs were found, suggesting ritual sacrifices.
Most intriguing were the partial skeletons of two women, revealed by DNA analysis to be around 80 and 40 years old.
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The older woman, possibly Queen Asa, had Morgagni’s syndrome, which gave her a masculine appearance and might have caused her to have a beard. Despite the rich context, the true idenтιтies of these women remain a mystery.
